COPD means Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary (Lung) Disease. The key words are “chronic” and “obstructive.” Chronic means that it’s going to be with you a long time. Obstructive means that airflow in the lungs is partly blocked. COPD includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. Either may compromise lung function. “Chronic bronchitis” is increased cough and mucus production caused by inflammation of the airways. Bronchitis is considered chronic (or long-term) if a person coughs and produces excess mucus most days during three months in a year, for two years in a row. https://www.socalallergy.com/blog/what-is-copd/

1. What Is COPD? - Allergy & Asthma
Associates of Southern California,
COPD means Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary (Lung) Disease. The key words are “chronic”
and “obstructive.” Chronic means that it’s going to be with you a long
time. Obstructive means that airflow in the lungs is partly blocked.
COPD includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. Either may compromise lung
function. “Chronic bronchitis” is increased cough and mucus production caused by
inflammation of the airways. Bronchitis is considered chronic (or long-term) if a person
coughs and produces excess mucus most days during three months in a year, for two years
in a row.
“Emphysema” is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with
damage of the air sacs and/or the smallest breathing tubes in the lungs.
Exacerbations (ig-zas-er-BAY-shuns) are a part of COPD. Although you may not have heard
the term, many people with COPD periodically suffer from a marked worsening of their
COPD symptoms (including cough, increased mucus production, and shortness of breath).
This can last for a few days or longer and often requires antibiotics, oral steroids, and in
some cases, hospitalization. Doctors call this an exacerbation.